Joe Armitage
About Me : Welcome to blue-sun Productions
I am a producer, songwriter and performer based in Sheffield, UK and I have been writing and recording music from an early age and performing solo and in bands since the mid 80's. I currently perform solo, with my own band "Buffalo Ghost" or as a guitarist, songwriter and producer for "Suddenly Charlotte."
I am also one third of the Transatlatic Trio known as "Ash & Mark & Joe, writing and performing original material live in three part harmony. Hailing from Austin, TX and Nashville TN in the U.S - Being a Sheffield native... I am doing it for the UK.
As a producer I cover all genres, although I do have a soft spot for acoustic music and instruments. I specilise in recording in non studio environments, although I do have a very small studio for production mixing and specific recording such as vocals.
I enjoy working with artists who are trying to capture a vision - or equally don't know where to start... If you have a phone "memo" recording of your song, this is a great start for me and most of my most enjoyable production work has stemmed from this route.
Why BLUE-SUN? - Well, when I first got into playing and recording music as a teen, this was the name I used to release my music under (not being brave enough to use my own name) It seemed fitting to use Blue-Sun Productions to carry this personal legacy forward.
I have worked with dozens of artists to turn their songs into finished, release ready tracks and I happy to work on both an individual track by track basis or as a full album. Please feel free to listen to the production examples below and please get in touch if you would like to discuss a project.
Production Examples
The following are examples of recent tracks I have produced, recorded, mixed, mastered and helped release either to stream digitally or physically release as CD or vinyl.
Suddenly Charlotte:
Conversations With My Future Self
Indie Pop with a little 90s twist. This track by Suddenly Charlotte was co-written together and then taking influences we discussed created the full track before recording all vocals in an additional session. This track has been taken up by BBC introducing - as have two other SC tracks I have produced.
I have also produced a click track backing for this to be used in live performances.
Songwriting Mentoring // Session musician // Recording // Engineering & Producing // Mastering // Release Digitally
Jody Davies:
The Ghost
From the forthcoming album "No Need to Panic." Jody Davis in an incredible performer and on previous sessions and albums I have worked with him on I was just trying to capture his intense performance. With these sessions we were adding additional instruments to make the songs even more interesting. The Chord organ was a particular joy to try and capture...
Session musician // Recording // Engineering & Producing / To be released both on 7" vinyl and Digitally
Buffalo Ghost:
You're Not Here
To be released 2023/24. This was my first session recording drums with only 4 microphones (The famous Glynn Johns Technique) Nailed it I think..
Song writer // Guitars and vocals // Recording // Engineering & Producing / To be released both on 7" vinyl and streaming services
Sheffield Does Sheffield:
Jody Davies / Buffalo Ghost : Tonight the street are ours (Richard Hawley)
Part of a Charity album that I produced featuring 20 local artists and bands covering other Sheffield Artists. This is a version of a great Hawley song but we wanted to give it an orchestral edge.
Orchestral arrangement and production of virtual Orchestra // Piano // Engineering & Producing / Released to CD - All proceeds for Under the Stars Charity
Andy P Davidson:
Infinite Contradiction
I worked with Andy turning his demos and voice notes into finished tracks. He was working remotely and we recorded both at his house and a little at Blue-Sun.
Session musician : Additional Guitar / Drum Programming // Engineering & Producing / Mastering / Released to CD and streaming services
Vinnie Nicholle-lee:
What a View (explicit content)
Vinnie wanted to get good, release-ready recordings of his songs. He wanted to play live to capture his performance. I recorded this remotely with him in his home utilising 3 mics to separate the guitar and vocals as much as possible. The stems were them mixed and mastered ready for release on streaming services.
Engineering & Producing / Mixed and Mastered / Released to streaming services
orchestral and string Examples
Orchestral music has always been a passion of mine and I love using strings and other orchestral instruments to creste intimate or dramatic instrumental music or to underpin a song. I am happy working with and recording solo orchestral instruments or small groups to build into larger scale recordings or equally modelling and creating pieces using sampled instruments such as Spitfire Audio of which I have an extensive collection - As a producer I am able to arange these as required..
The following pieces are examples of instrumental pieces created to show a variety of themes, tonal qualities and emotions.
All tracks written, performed and recorded by Joe Armitage (c) 2022
The Yellow Wallpaper - main theme
From an ongoing work inspired by the short story written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman - published in 1892, The Yellow wallpaper's main theme is dark and sumptuous, gothic and underpinned with a brooding, sinister nature.
Orchestral / Strings / Cello / Woodwind / Legato strings
death of a giant
Death of A giant features a soft intimate piano (with hammers and pedal sounds), under scored by deep & luscious, yet fragile strings. The piece is gently cinematic yet builds in intensity, pulling the listener (and viewer) in.
Piano / Strings / Cello
behind the pattern
Intense classic thriller / horror strings. Anything could happen! A track to keep you on the edge of your seat and your teeth on edge too.
Strings
solo cello
Showing the cello in all its deep woody tones and emotional wonderfulness.
Cello
the hollow
From a new project "Paper Landscape" - "The Hollow" features soft piano with all its quirkyness and dark charm, a deep cello line and brittle strings to create a cinematic, cold and broken theme to this equally broken and cold film.
Piano / Cello /Strings
electronic Examples
The following pieces are examples of instrumental pieces created to show a variety of themes, tonal qualities and emotions.
All tracks written, performed and recorded by Joe Armitage (c) 2022
electron echoes
Synth pop with a driving bass line and beat. Cyberpunk themed and 80s inspired.
the garden
Part of a larger piece (Entering Kawasaki) short pieces and stories telling of a cybernetic community living in a future Tokyo, the narration uses text to speech synthesis to tell of a tranquil spot in the futeristic cyberpunk city. Mellow and hypnotic "The Garden" allows and escape to all who can find it...
The Garden uses original sfx - field recordings taken in Tokyo and Kyoto.
I ALSO DO PHOTOGRAPHY
I have been a freelance photographer for many years and built up a varied and successful portfolio. Mostly specialising in dance photography and working with some of the UK's premier contemporary dance companies. However, this also allows me to offer band and artist portraiture as well as album cover photography and design. I can work with you to create artwork for your release as well as merchandise and marketing material. You can follow my photographic work at my instagram page here : BoneShaker Photography -
Please drop me a line
If you interested in working with me please send me an email using the form below. I would be happy to discuss prices on a case by case basis once I have a fuller picture of what is involved. Don't be shy, Send me a message and let's talk... J x